Cabin Crew Salary in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), flight attendants (often called cabin crew) earn a median annual wage of about $67,130 (May 2024). The mean (average) annual pay is roughly $70,980. In practical terms, that works out to about $5,900 per month (or ~$34 per hour) for a full-time schedule.
These figures represent base pay; many airlines also provide per-diem allowances (for meals/lodging), holiday/overnight premiums, and bonuses in addition to the base hourly wage, further boosting total compensation.
Salary Breakdown (Hourly, Monthly, Yearly)
- Annual (yearly): ~$70,980 (mean).
- Monthly: ~$5,915 (based on $70,980/year).
- Weekly: ~ $1,365.
- Hourly: ~$34.13 (mean).
These averages cover the full range from entry to senior attendants. For example, new flight attendants typically earn base pay in the low $30,000s per year (around $28–$37 per hour), whereas highly senior cabin crew with 10+ years of service can reach base salaries well into the $70,000–$90,000+. (Many will exceed those figures with allowances, premiums, or overtime.)
Top-Paying States
Pay varies widely by location. BLS data (May 2023) show the highest average wages for cabin crew in these:
| State | Mean Annual Wage (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $111,430 |
| Washington | $98,930 |
| California | $84,540 |
| Florida | $76,130 |
| Arizona | $75,500 |
For context, many high-pay states are hubs for major airlines. In contrast, states with many regional/commuter carriers typically pay less. (Nationally, the BLS mean was $70,980.) Factors like cost of living, union contracts, and airline presence explain these differences.
Salary by Airline
Major U.S. carriers’ pay scales vary by contract. By the top of their pay scales, cabin crew salaries can differ substantially across airlines. For example, by the end of 2025:
| Airline | Top Annual Pay (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Southwest | $111,012 |
| American | $109,568 |
| Delta | $107,568 |
| Alaska | $106,816 |
| JetBlue | $81,444 |
| United | $80,532 |
These figures represent top-of-scale rates (with full seniority). For example, Southwest flight attendants reach about $111K/year at 13 years on the job.
Likewise, Alaska’s scale tops out near $106.8K. Delta and American senior crew earn on the order of $107–109K.
United’s pay had been lower under the old contract (about $80.5K max), though a new agreement (2024–29) is raising future rates.
In contrast, new-hire base pay is much lower. First-year attendants at the major U.S. carriers typically earn around $29–37 per hour (roughly $25–30K annual pay).
For example, American Airlines starting pay was $35.82/hr (≈$30K/yr before bonuses) and Delta’s was $36.92/hr.
Over about 10–13 years of service, those hourly rates roughly double. By seniority year 13, American crew earn ~$82.24/hr and Delta ~$83.00/hr.
Thus, airline contracts typically guarantee substantial wage increases with each year of experience up to the top-of-scale.
Experience and Pay Progression
Flight attendant pay is highly seniority-based. A simplified view of pay by experience:
- Entry-Level (0–2 years): Base hourly rates roughly $28–37/hr (≈$25K–$30K/yr). Actual take-home may be higher after per diems and overtime.
- Mid-Career (3–9 years): Base pay increases steadily through contract steps. By ~5–7 years, hourly rates often hit the $40–60 range (roughly $50–75K/yr).
- Senior (10+ years): Top-of-scale attendants earn the highest pay. As noted, at ~13 years many reach ~$67–84/hr (exceeding $70K–$100K annual base).
These progressions are governed by union contracts. For example, under the American Airlines 2024 contract, attendants start at $35.82/hr and reach $82.24/hr by year 13. Delta’s contract similarly spans $36.92 to $83.00 over that career span. In practice, flight attendants often earn beyond base pay through overtime, holiday or night premiums, and other extras.
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Benefits and Perks
U.S. cabin crew enjoy robust benefits alongside wages. Typical airline benefits include:
- Travel Privileges: Free or very low-cost standby travel on the carrier (and often partner airlines) for employees and their families. For example, Southwest offers “free, unlimited travel privileges” to attendants and dependents; United provides unlimited standby flights and discounted tickets. These perks are among the most highly touted non-wage benefits.
- Retirement Plans: Company-sponsored retirement savings (401(k)) with employer contributions. For instance, Southwest matches employee contributions dollar-for-dollar and also contributes a profit-sharing share to the plan. United likewise provides a 401(k) with company match. Airlines often have defined-benefit pension plans for legacy employees as well.
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans (often from day one). Southwest offers coverage effective the first day of work, and United lists multiple health plans including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Costs to employees are generally competitive, reflecting union-negotiated terms.
Other common benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, life/AD&D insurance, disability insurance, and sometimes tuition reimbursement.
Many airlines also offer profit-sharing bonuses, family travel discounts (beyond standby), and other perks like employee stock purchase programs.
Overall, the non-wage benefits make the total compensation package quite attractive compared to many civilian service jobs.
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Comparison with Related Jobs
For context, cabin crew compensation sits between entry-level airline roles and professional pilot pay.
Flight attendants earn far more than ground service roles; for example, reservation/ticket clerks and gate agents typically make only mid-$30K per year (BLS data suggest medians around $36K).
By contrast, airline pilots earn much higher wages: the BLS reports a median of about $226,600 for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers (May 2024).
Even commercial pilots (flying charters or smaller aircraft) have a median around $122,670. Another related field, travel agents, has a median around $46,000. In summary, flight attendants outrank most other customer-service aviation jobs in pay, but pilots remain the highest-paid professionals in aviation.
Certification and Qualifications
All U.S. cabin crew must meet FAA certification requirements. Airlines provide the necessary training, and candidates must earn an FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency for each aircraft type they fly.
This involves safety and emergency procedure training (both initial and annual recurrent training). Because FAA certification is mandatory for all attendants, it typically isn’t a pay differentiator by itself.
However, airlines sometimes pay premiums for extra skills: for example, being designated a lead/purser, having formal safety instructor certification, or speaking a second language can add $1–$7.50 per hour extra on top of base pay.
Other qualifications (e.g., first aid or EMT certification) may be encouraged by airlines, but the standard FAA training is the main certification hurdle to entering the career.
Job Description and Responsibilities
Flight attendants play a vital role in ensuring both the safety and comfort of passengers throughout every flight. Their job goes far beyond serving snacks and drinks—they are highly trained professionals responsible for conducting pre-flight safety checks, demonstrating the use of safety equipment, and clearly explaining emergency procedures to everyone on board.
Exceptional customer service skills are essential, as flight attendants must respond to passenger needs, resolve issues, and create a welcoming environment, even during challenging situations.
A key part of the job is being prepared to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, whether it’s a medical incident, turbulence, or a security concern. Flight attendants are trained to use a range of safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency oxygen systems.
They must also be familiar with the airline’s security protocols and be ready to implement them at a moment’s notice to protect passengers and crew.
To become a flight attendant, applicants must meet several eligibility requirements. These typically include holding a valid passport, being eligible to work in the country where the airline is based, and passing a comprehensive training program.
This training covers everything from emergency procedures and safety drills to customer service skills and security awareness. Airlines look for candidates who can perform well under pressure, adapt to changing situations, and maintain a high standard of service at all times.
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The work schedule for flight attendants is anything but typical. Shifts can include nights, weekends, and holidays, and it’s common to spend several days or even weeks away from home, staying in hotels between flights.
The number of hours worked can vary greatly from week to week, depending on flight schedules and airline needs. Despite these challenges, many flight attendants find the job rewarding due to the unique opportunities for travel, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures.
As flight attendants gain experience and seniority, they often see their pay increase and may have the chance to take on additional responsibilities, such as leading a cabin crew team or mentoring new hires. Ongoing training is a regular part of the job, ensuring that all flight attendants remain up-to-date with the latest safety procedures and customer service standards.
For those who are passionate about travel, enjoy working with people, and thrive in a dynamic environment, a career as a flight attendant offers both challenges and exciting opportunities for personal and professional growth.